Market Chatter-Corporate finance press digest

Source :

Last Updated: Fri, Apr 05, 2013 04:30 hrs

April 5 (Reuters) - The following corporate finance-related
stories were reported by media on Friday:

* Blackstone Group LP will visit Dell Inc's
headquarters on Monday to begin an in-depth analysis of the
company, sources said, a strong sign the buyout firm is
proceeding with an offer that could upset founder Michael Dell's
$24.4 billion buyout bid.

* Rio Tinto Plc has hired investment bank Macquarie
to sell its majority stake in the Northparkes copper mine in
Australia, a source familiar with the matter said, adding to a
growing list of planned divestments.

* The Bank of Italy has ordered former top executives of
Monte dei Paschi di Siena to pay a total of 5 million
euros ($6.43 million) for a lack of controls over risky trades
at the bank, two sources close to the situation said.

* Deutsche Telekom AG is looking into improving
the terms of a proposed merger of its T-Mobile USA unit with
MetroPCS Communications Inc as a last resort to win over
shareholders ahead of a vote on the deal next week, two people
familiar with Deutsche Telekom's thinking said on Thursday.

* Italy will hike its planned target for government bond
issuance in 2013 and 2014 to pay off a portion of outstanding
state debts to the private sector, a senior treasury source told
Reuters.

* Cerberus Capital Management LP will try to lift
its stake in Japanese railway and real estate group Seibu
Holdings to 44.7 percent from the original target of 32.4
percent, according to a regulatory filing on Friday.

* The mystery lender behind a Thai billionaire's $9.4
billion purchase of a stake in China's No.2 insurer was UBS AG
, which offered a last minute and complex financing
package known to only a few involved, people with knowledge of
the matter told Reuters.

* Restructuring specialist Hilco is set to throw British
entertainment retailer HMV a lifeline in a
50-million-pound ($75.90 million) deal that will save 2,500
jobs, Sky News reported.

* Revised takeover offers for Australia's Billabong
International Ltd have come in considerably lower than
indicative bids, with the highest valuing the struggling
surfwear firm at only A$287 million ($298.67 million), the
Australian Financial Review reported on Friday.

* The family owners of Italian suitmaker Pal Zileri are
looking to sell their holding and bring in external investors to
boost the brand's international expansion and revive its
fortunes, sources close the matter have said.